PS Business Briefing 2006 March official info

[Shifty Geezer]

Hmm, why am I not excited?
+ Full PS2/PS1 BC, with hi-res improvement
Isn't this what they promised? So rehashing the same info

They made no promises of improving the originals, on that they'd play. Imnprovements are very welcome.

+ All PS3 have 60GB HDD with Linux

If it's a standard than it's good. It's odd when everyone was spectulating whether the 360 would include HDD as a standard, KK said no amount of local storage was big enough and that network Cell storage is the solution.

People are allowed to change their mind, you know!
I figure Ken was thinking of the HDD storing all your movies and stuff, which of course no HDD would be big enough to do. I guess he's reevaluated the role of the HDD and seen it offers much more versatility to the system, the highly profitable revenue stream for downloadable software and content, and potentially much better games if it's used to good effect. Hence a change of heart.

+ 1-2 Million at launch and 1 Million/month after launch
This isn't drastically different from the 360, so nothing to get excited about.

If the XB360 was managing 1 million units a month, there'd be something like 4-5 million out there! A million a month is a very high production rate for new hardware. Okay, this isn't new hardware - it'll be like a year old by the time it's released . Previous Sony consoles have had a very slow start.

So, basically they haven't told you anything new

Apart from the HDD, the production rate, the confirmed improvements to BC games, the global release, and the release date, plus all the PSP stuff, no, they haven't told us anything new. And what have the Romans done for us anyway?

or showed any demo (if we are to believe BD is the real reason for the delay)

It's a boardroom meeting for suits, not a product launch or gamer convention.

but somehow got you all excited?

Sad isn't it. Some people are just too easily excited.

 

[Phil]

I think the problem is we have one slide that is talking about the advantages that the HD (presumably from Sony) offers and other sniplets that talk that developers should develop with a HD being there.

While with the former, I agree with Jaws, the latter definately hints that the HD will be sold with or serperate but will be required to use the PS3. If this conference was really targeted at 3rd parties, I can definately take this as definite that in one way or the other, a HD is apart of PS3's experience (and not just as an optional add-on).

 

[Platon]

I'll repeat myself from earlier:

"Regarding if the HDD is standard or not, could it be possible that the PS3 will require one to operate but it will be sold separately? Resons for this could be that you will be able to choose size and preloaded content (such as Linux pre-installed) but Sony is not ready to announce it just yet and that's why info at present time is vague (other than it's required)?"

Yeah, but on the other hand imagine the confusiong it could cause and all the possible configuration you would need. Sony said that the xbox360 +/- the HDD was confusing, imagine now if the customers will have instead to decide, size of HDD, content on it etc, and will that not be a nightmare for retailers, how many different HDD will they have to have in stock...

 

[FLUXCapacitor]

If PS3 does end up having a 60GB HDD as standard, I seriously think MS should just bite the bullet and either get rid of the core, or throw in the 20GB HDD with the core pack, and add a 60-100GB HDD with the premium at no price increase, before the installed base of the current core package gets to big. That could be asking to much though.

But with this news of HDD possibly being standard in the PS3, and at generous 60GB, I wouldn't count out the rumor of the 360 to include a 100GB HDD in the next month or two just yet.

 

[pc999]

Ten pages already...anyway

HDD as standard
Free basic services for online (live like?)
WW launch

It seems they are doing a very good job.

Now bring me the other things I want and a low price too.

 

[PeterT]

And what have the Romans done for us anyway?

Public baths!

But seriously, the best news out of all of this to me is the included Linux OS. If, of course, that actually means they'll let me run my own apps. Which I still find very hard to believe from a DRM POV. Perhaps in a sandbox... nah.

 

[liolio]

Okay, a worldwide launch can fit in with the Spring launch I argue. For all those saying 'they already said Spring and missed it, I won't beleive a word they say', all plans are subject to change. The best laid plans o' mice and men gang aft aglay.

Before you can say 'they missed Spring so we won't Novemeber' you need to know why they missed Spring. If it's a BRD thing, they've been ale to make everything they need except that part. That means between now and launch they can stockpile huge numbers of PS3 as they wait for whatever they are waiting for. Also the Spring launch could have been Japan only, as we all assumed, with US getting later this year, so the shift to a worldwide launch is more a postponement of Japan. Worldwide becomes a new strategy to strengthen the launch folowing an unexpected delay.

The concern with the worldwide launch is that it sounds like 1 million consoles per month after launch, with 1 million at launch. That's spreading things even more thinly than XB360 . And also makes you wonder what the factories are doing at the moment. Twiddling their thumbs?

Sony have managed to save face somewhat by turning the unwanted delayed launch into a big launch to compensate. Good marketting and business sense. They haven't yet shown the games or examples of the interfaces or Linux etc., but these things wouldn't be expected at a dull old business meeting. The suits get their kicks from Powerpoint presentations, not awesomely rendered FPSes!

In summary, heady goals. Things could go wrong, might well do, but the plans announced are at least what is being aimed at. Some people need to be able to make the distinction between a lie and an unexpected set of circumstances that require a change of plan.

Nope it seems to be more than just a BR thing, final dev kit will be out in june.
Sony is likely to not reach his 6 Millions goal to march 2007, the question is by how much.
(nothing go perfect Sony or others brands).
Anyway i'm happy, i've an a renew interest in console gaming, and the quicker the ps3 out the quicker i'll made a choice between the systems available.

 

[Titanio]

Standard = every system will have it.

Required = required for the bullet points on the slides. Doesn't mean every system will have it or need it.

That's how I'm reading it.

Kutaragi's comments make it explicitly clear. Every player has to have one, whether they get it seperately or in the box.

I just have difficulty understanding, how that something that is absolutely required for your equipment to work would not be standard in the box. The memory stick do not really count, as you can actually play your game but not save them, so your damn thing does actually work.

And I'm sure PS3 would work in quite a limited fashion also, not necessarily in exactly the same way, but some functionality would be there. Ultimately every game developer can count on PS2 gamers having a memory card, or at least that's what they assume, and it would appear that'll be the same situation with the HDD in PS3.

For all we know it may well come standard in every box, but they may not put it in there simply so they can say the system costs x Dollars. Same reason they don't put memory cards in the box - they know you have to buy it, but they quote the box seperately so the figure can sound nice and lower.

Anyway, more online details here:

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/696/696075p1.html

Sony made note of some of the major features that all Online titles will be able to access:

Communication/Community:
Voice/Video chat
Messaging
Lobby/Matchmaking
Score/Ranking
Friend list/Avatar
Game data upload/download

Commerce:
Shop (accessible from inside games)
Content Download
Micro Payment
Subscription
Entitlement (user access rights) management

Account:
User Registration
Login ID/Handling of name issues

Sony Computer Entertainment will take care of investment and operation of a commonly used infrastructure. However, SCE will be allowing licensees to connect their own game servers to the network. SCE's network, with data centers throughout the world, is being developed in conjunction with Sony Online Entertainment.

Not precisely clear what will or won't be part of the "commonly used infrastructure" and what will be per game. That'll be interesting to watch..maybe Phil Harrison will elaborate. But at the very least, there is something there to bind things.

 

[onanie]

Regarding if the HDD is standard or not, could it be possible that the PS3 will require one to operate but it will be sold separately? Resons for this could be that you will be able to choose size and preloaded content (such as Linux pre-installed) but Sony is not ready to announce it just yet and that's why info at present time is vague (other than it's required)?

I think giving the customers choice (in HDD size) on a compulsory add-on is an interesting idea. The HDD is fully utilised as it is assumed to be present on all consoles, while the customers choose the size (and price) that suits them.

 

[schmuck]

Is ps3 going to be region free(or optional for developers)?

If so it would be cool if they included ps1/2.

 

[pipo]

Kutaragi's comments make it explicitly clear. Every player has to have one, whether they get it seperately or in the box.

To play games.

You buy a BR player to begin with.

Edit - nah, the slide says 'enhance gameplay'

 

[liolio]

If PS3 does end up having a 60GB HDD as standard, I seriously think MS should just bite the bullet and either get rid of the core, or throw in the 20GB HDD with the core pack, and add a 60-100GB HDD with the premium at no price increase, before the installed base of the current core package gets to big. That could be asking to much though.

But with this news of HDD possibly being standard in the PS3, and at generous 60GB, I wouldn't count out the rumor of the 360 to include a 100GB HDD in the next month or two just yet.

i don't think so, MS want you to stream content from your pc throught your xbox.
For MS pc is still in the center of entertainement/media devices.
The best choice for MS is to make a bundle game+hdd with a game that really needs hdd.

I've just heard the new on TV, lol.

 

[one]

This article at ITmedia reports another message from Kutaragi, "PS3 is NOT a poor-man's BD player." PS3 is a BD player with all the latest cutting-edge technologies such as CELL, full support of the final BD standard, and next-gen HDMI.

http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/lifestyle/articles/0603/15/news073.html

 

[tema]

Coffee and Toast besides me..

How many rabbits does Ken the frickin man Kutaragi have in his hat!?! It took him an hour to blow all of us off our feet. E3 will be fvckin awesome man.
I know where my Vista upgrade money will go to now.

 

[one]

Another report at BroadBand Watch @ Impress, with more pics

http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/13212.html

 

[Titanio]

Edit - nah, the slide says 'enhance gameplay'

In the broader context, and given Kutaragi's comments, I don't think the "HDD Required!" slide is saying this is what the HDD is required for, but what the HDD will provide. If gamespot's reporting is accurate, I think it's pretty clear where it stands!

 

[pipo]

Observation: 'functions available for online titles' - not 'all'?

And what do they mean with the last point ('Entitlement management')?

 

[liolio]

I hope Sony will put a really well secure network.
If we still can't copy BR, being able to directly download games directly play games from hdd mean BIG piracy issue.
I 've heard people arguing against the number and the quality of psp games, but every guy I know with a psp don't buy a single games, it 's all download via huge memory stick.
I don't know if the devs compagny are happy with that and then don't do their best on this system...
Hope Sony will not peaced off devs company, because if Sony movies section need BR the games company don't really need more downloadable game (in regard to psp).
Linux is easily hackable, the same for other OS...
So sony can expect huge sell due to "free" games (piracy) it's good for the movies bizzness (BR take an easy win on HD-DVD), but can't be wrong for gaming bizzness.

 

[one]

Dev tools
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20060315/psm1.htm

 

[pipo]

Cheers one!

In the broader context, and given Kutaragi's comments, I don't think the "HDD Required!" slide is saying this is what the HDD is required for, but what the HDD will provide. If gamespot's reporting is accurate, I think it's pretty clear where it stands!

Agreed.